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5 NFL teams on upset alert in Week 16

By Cody Williams

Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is all smiles after third quarter touchdown against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeat the New York Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Dec 20, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is all smiles after third quarter touchdown against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Carolina Panthers defeat the New York Giants 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
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Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes to running back Matt Asiata (44) against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) passes to running back Matt Asiata (44) against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Minnesota Vikings

There are going to be an incredible number of people who entirely count out the New York Giants in Week 16 as they go on the road for Sunday Night Football to take on the Minnesota Vikings. However, that might not be the smartest move as the Giants are still very much alive as the head to Minnesota for a big game.

The argument against the Giants is 100 percent sensible and undeniable. New York is going to be without Odell Beckham Jr. in this game and, almost more than any other player around the league, that severely depletes the Giants’ offensive attack. They are already an incredibly pass-heavy team that can’t run the ball well, but that passing offense also heavily leans on OBJ to carry them from game to game.

However, I’m still skeptical of this Vikings team in a number of ways. For one, their defense is still a bit banged up heading into this game with Anthony Barr and Harrison Smith—two vital pieces on that side of the ball—and that is a bit disconcerting. Moreover, Teddy Bridgewater has quietly been more than a little bit unreliable this season and, against a Giants defense that may not be good but is desperately in need of a win to stay alive in the NFC East, it’s hard to fully trust him.

Next: No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs

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